Health department will decide future of medical records

Director says the department will have answers soon

STANDISH — People wondering how thousands of medical records found in a foreclosed former doctor’s office will be handled may not have to wait much longer for an answer.

Ray Garza, director of the Michigan Health Investigation Department, said the department is still investigating the situation, but will make a decision on what to do with the records in the coming days.

“We have been in contact with the attorney general’s office and we will have an answer for those concerned about their records soon,” he said. “We want to be sure that this situation is handled correctly.”

Last week, the Independent reported that Stas Yascolt of Pinconning purchased the building, located at 529 E. Cedar Street in Standish, and found thousands of medical records inside.

Yascolt said he would sell the records back to their rightful owners for $100 apiece if he legally could.

Garza said that is not something Yascolt can do.

“I have talked to (Yascolt) and informed him that those records are not his to sell, and he was in full compliance and agreed,” Garza said.

He said Yascolt was in a situation where he did not know what to do with the records.

“Unfortunately for him, he bought a building with a lot of medical records inside,” Garza said.

Garza said he would like to see the records returned to those who want them back. He added that the large number of records in the building may make that difficult.

“There are so many records in the building,” he said. “Many of the people they belong to have either moved or are deceased. We just have to find out how to organize all of that information.”

Garza said he has never come across a situation quite like this before.

“Unfortunately, I have never seen anything like this in my entire career,” he said. “But we will figure this out and we have a handle on it.”